Hopefully, you understand that the fruit in question here is first of all not an apple, secondly, even though originally it was possibly a real fruit, here it is metaphor. With that comprehension in tow let’s get down to answering the question of whether or not you are an “Apple Eater”. If you’re a human being you most certainly are an “Apple Eater” until you surrender your existence on earth to God. Therefore, we need to determine the difference between “Apple Eaters” and “Non-eaters”, and then discuss what it is to be a “Non-eater”.

Primarily, “Apple Eater” is a term devised from the Bible verses dealing with the “Tree of Knowledge” in the Book of Genesis. Hopefully, we all know how the story goes and how it was the precursor of establishing God’s people apart from the rest of humanity. On the one hand Satan offers the world, and on the other, God offers Life. For all human beings the world is self-explanatory and yet Satan insists in offer detailed explanations that extent into our wildest imaginations. What many people have learned is that the more someone tries to sell you something by building that something into a bigger than life item, the more likely there is that that something has a hidden catch, clause, blemish, or trap. Satan has continued to exaggerate how utterly fantastic that “apple” is. On the other hand, God has continually offered one thing, the same one thing and only one thing since the beginning of time without any elaboration or fanfare.

To me the difference is like a Chevy compared to a Maserati, one car needs no sales gimmicks at all because the vehicle speaks for itself. That brings us to the discussion of what it means to be “apple-free”. Throughout life one is constantly bombarded by the “sales gimmicks” of Satan presenting the world to any and all who so desire it. And yet to a much lesser extent one is also aware of the possible option offered by God. At some point in one’s life the realization of what Satan is actually offering becomes apparent, and to some it becomes crystal clear. It is at that point in one’s life that a decision is made to either take Satan’s ride to the bitter end or be set free with God’s offer.

So to be “apple-free” is to be completely engulfed within the loving, secure arms of our Creator who provides us with a life that is eons beyond that which is experienced in a “worldly” existence; so much so that it is completely impossible for someone living within the arms of God to describe that experience to someone who is not. The only true and expedient way to share that existence with someone who is not experiencing it is to let your life be the example of what you are experiencing, and in time others will come to that very same realization that brought you within the warm, secure, loving arms of God.

The only true and certainly most important “Act of God” in the past several thousand years was His total surrender to and for us on the cross. That surrender was suppose to be an example for us to follow, and by following that example we are to completely surrender our existence in this universe over to God. However, so many of us are terrified of the word “surrender” because it is always in the context of loss. One surrenders when one looses, and there is nothing humanly delectable about loosing. Therefore, most people look at surrendering as a loosing proposition; and in worldly terms that is correct, but in Spiritual terms one is surrendering over to God everything in one’s life that is undesirable. Of course, everything about a human being without God is undesirable, yet, when one surrenders their entire life over to God, God instantly sets you free without all the baggage that once held you down.

Once a soul has surrendered to God that soul immediately begins to see life from a completely different perspective, and it is that change in perception that accounts for an entirely new lifestyle! For the Love of God alone the surrender is worth it, and yet there are so many other benefits that accompany that Love that quickly after your surrender you discover that surrendering to the King of Kings you actually become the victor.

Let us now look at some of those other benefits that ones receives along with the Love of God:

First is Patience, and it is listed on top because of its importance in our lives. It is Patience that enables us to wait for it. The longer one waits for something, the more valuable one considers that something, and that is specifically by design. The longer you wait for something, the more value it will have and once you possess it you will certainly hold it higher regard than if you did not wait at all.

The second benefit given to one who has surrendered all and received the Love of God is the ability to resist jealousy. Today, we do not appreciate the importance of these first two attributes, and as a society we are paying for it gravely. Can you imagine the power and peace one has when ones self confidence is so solid one never becomes envious? That type of confidence comes only when one feels the Love of God.

With that confidence comes another benefit that of humility. When ones knows that the Creator of everything is willing to, and already has died for you, it doesn’t get any more humbling. And it is that humility that puts the confidence in its place, at the foot of God.

When you have become humbly confident in the God whose Spirit now lives inside of you it becomes more and more difficult to act improper, selfish or vengeful. As one lives life with less and less anger, selfishness, and jealousy, one begins to feel set free. And as you become freer and freer you realize exactly how the Truth can sett you free.

“And it will be said, Build up, build up, prepare the way, Remove obstacles out of the way of My people. For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, I dwell on a high and holy place, and with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would grow faint before Me, and the breath I have made. Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, and he went on turning away, in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners, creating the praise of the lips. Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near, Says the Lord and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the tossing sea, for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up refuse and mud. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.” NASB

Make no mistake, the Lord will always take care of His own, and justice will be the final outcome. However, God’s justice may not be exactly what we might think of as justice. Consider for a moment the story of Cain and Abel; here we have two brothers, the first two siblings on earth and therefore everything they do will be novel including murder.

With the murder of Abel, Cain tells God that he cannot live with the crime he has committed (Genesis 4:13). The Hebrew word that we translate as “punishment” actually means “iniquity”, therefore Cain is not telling God that he cannot take the punishment, but that he cannot take the magnitude of the crime he had just committed. Before Cain killed Abel there was no concept for murder, which should lead the reader to realize that Cain had no idea that his actions from anger would result in the death of his brother.

The story of Cain and Abel is based around emotions and thoughts, because God knows that everything a human being does originates from within–from our emotions, and it is the reasons why we do what we do that hold the most importance. Intent is crucial in a life of Faith.

The sentence,”There is no peace for the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:21) is not as simple to interpret as it may seem. Because the most common understanding is the wicked will be punished by God, but its more probable meaning is, “The wicked cannot stop being wicked.” Once again to find the true interpretation one need only to look at life. There we can plainly see that the wicked cannot stop being wicked, just as Satan could not stop being drawn to the magnetic pull in the fascination of earth. All these things and much more are clear if the eyes you look through are clear.

I refer all of you to an ancient little story of the “Scorpion and the Toad.” The story tries to show the pervasiveness of the human nature and how destructive it has been and continues be. There are other interpretations, but since no one knows who wrote the story, where it came from, or when it was made ,though it is centuries old, I feel that the best interpretation is in regards to the destructive character of human nature. Of course, not all humans are destructive, nor is human nature limited to destruction, however its propensity is certainly toward destruction in the majority.

There is a very good reason why King Y’shua Messiah tells all who wish to follow Him that they must be “born again” (John 3:3). Every human being is decadent to one degree or another, without a substantial reason for morality. The most relevant motivation for morality is a belief in an afterlife. That is why the Bible speaks of the need for any human being seeking a higher moral standard must first and foremost, die of ones self. It is the same human nature that was mislead in the Garden eons ago, that must die before any moral change can occur.

Just finished reading Michael Drosnin’s third book about the Bible code. I have been following his and others work on the code phenomenon for many years now, and like so many others I have found it very difficult to discount the findings just as it is difficult to grasp the possibility of its authenticity. At any rate, the signs in life today all point to a similar future, whether you look at things spiritually, scientifically, politically, historically, or in a combination like I do. That future is not necessarily bad or good it is just going to be very different than what we have been experiencing for the past few generations.

What does it all mean? To me, it means I need to get ready for changes in my life style. I need to find comfort and contentment with much less than I had previously been accustomed to. I will need to be able to find peace within anxious situations. I will most certainly need far more Faith than I have today. Most importantly, I must be able to allow God’s Love to flow through me at all times, even when those times will be full of hatred–theirs and mine.

Thank God the only thing I will have to do to achieve these changes to my life style is to simply turn to God and allow Him to enrich my life with His Blessed Holy Spirit. However, I must be open to His teaching and leading because He will never force anything on me. I must be willing to accept whatever changes God deems necessary for my life, and it is through this trust and obedience that I learn how to follow God into this new day and beyond.

I do not believe in the theory that bad things happen because God wants to punish people and good things happen because God wants to reward people. I believe that all things, good and bad, happen because that is life, and life happens for us to learn about life. In all this we can and should learn something about becoming a better human being. These years to come will provide us all with exactly that opportunity to learn how to become better human beings.

Is this the end of the world? Not on my calender. Though this may be the end of an era. The Hebrew term End of Days can mean just that–the end of these days. Make no mistake, the end is near for someone every day, but the world still goes on for many others, and probably will for some time to come. However, never stop “looking” for the Lord’s Coming for that is Biblical (Matthew 24:42).

“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” NASB

If that does not spell it out plainly enough just read the verse before this one; it states very clearly that no one should judge others. Oh yea, and by the way, the speaker is King Y’shua Messiah!

According to the most spirit filled and obedient young man in modern times, Oswald Chambers; “The average Christian is the most penetratingly critical individual.” Coming from one of the most judgmental Christian families on earth I must agree with Mr. Chambers. Lately my biggest complaint is how so many Christians make judgment on anyone political that does not condemn abortion outright %100. As far as these Christians are concerned the most moral, dedicated Christian this country has ever had in the White House, Jimmy Carter, is an unforgivable sinner because he refused to back a law that made abortion under any circumstance illegal. Apparently, we not only demand that all think like us, but that we should all have the same amount of Faith!

Oswald Chambers also wrote; “Life gives back in the coin you pay.”

Humility is one of our greatest characteristics as followers and we should try to cultivate our humility to a point of understanding that without the grace of God there go I.

“With the kind Thou dost show thyself kind; with the blameless Thou dost show Thyself blameless; with the pure Thou dost show Thyself pure; and with the crooked Thou dost show Thyself astute.” Psalms 18:25-26 NASB

After all, who are these people we find so easy to judge? They are God’s image bearers, that’s who they are, and we are critiquing God. How about we stop doing that and just love God with all our soul while we treat everyone else as we wish to be treated. That sounds a whole lot simpler.

In America as in much of the modern world words are completely subjective in there meaning, such as: “It depends on what the meaning of the word is, is.” One of our presidents made this statement in earnest. Our lawyers (a word similar to liars) write and speak in “legalese” for the specific reason of exclusivity–only they know what their words mean, and that is not by accident.

Maybe it is just me, but if you are like me, you see the importance of the small things. It is like that old saying “little things make up the big things.” The Lord did not say He was the Words, he is referred to as “The Word” for as He is the entirety of the Bible he is each and every word that makes up the Bible. Therefore, for one to have respect for “The Word” one must have respect for each word within the Bible.

In the Book of Luke chapter 19 verse 44 King Y’shua Messiah was explaining to all that were listening why a great calamity was about to overtake them and it was, “because you did not recognize the time of your visitation. ” (NASB italics added) The Greek word used here for visitation is “episkope” which actually translates to, investigation or inspection, not visitation. This was not a come to tea visit, it was a come to see how God’s people were progressing visit, an investigation into just how God’s people were applying His way of life into the world then. And for what befell them they must have failed the exam!

Did God need to find out how His people were doing or was this “inspection” to show His people that He is a concerned Heavenly Father? Obviously, an omnipotent God need not check up on His kids to update His knowledge. However, we desperately need to know that our Heavenly Father cares. Unfortunately, without the proper word we may miss the point entirely. There are so many other examples in the Bible of the absolute need for us to read the Greek and Hebrew words as they were meant to be read and understood so we can understand our Heavenly Father.

Words matter and our English language does not translate well into Greek or Hebrew, therefore it is necessary to use a concordance or the interlinear tool on Crosswalk.com if you truly desire to know who God is and what He desires.

Maceration has taken place with each ingredient and it is time to add the oil and boil. If all goes well we will have our first batch of true Holy Oil this week. The closer we get to the final objective the more excited we get. However, we have also seen an increase in trials and difficulties in our lives since we began this mission for God.

I have never been one to blame the devil for my mistakes or disobedience, although I realize that there are evil spirits in this world that try to keep us from total focus on God. So it has not been that surprising to see this increase in difficulties while we attempt to set out on our mission for God. We can see that same thing occur to our Messiah just before He set out on His Mission for God (Matthew 4:1-11). However, throughout the entire process it has been wonderful to see the Blessed Holy Spirit assisting in the project in a number of ways including, leading me to vital information and giving me cooking times.

For those of you that are not familiar with Holy Oil we thought we would provide some Biblical background. To start off with we should go to the original instruction of God to make Holy Oil (Exodus 30:23-25). Further on in that chapter one can see specific instructions and caveats of the oil’s use; the most important one is found in verse 32 which states: “It shall not be poured out on anyone’s body, nor shall you make like it, in the same proportions; it is holy, it shall be holy to you.”-NASB. This verse shows the degree of importance that should be given to Holy Oil. It is to be used only for the Temple and all things associated with the Temple including and especially the Temple priests (Exodus 30:30). It shall not be duplicated for any other reason except the Temple, and should be handled appropriately.

As you know, today those who follow God are all priests of God (1Peter 2:9) and the Temple is each and every one of us ( 1Corinthians 3:16). Therefore, it is very likely that when the Bible records the use of Holy Oil by the First Century Believers (Mark 6:13) it is describing the use of true Holy Oil made with the instructions in Exodus. This is our belief here at Cepher, and the reason we are putting so much time, finances, and effort, into making the exact Holy Oil as God intended.

You may ask why King Y’shua Messiah never said anything about how important the Holy Oil was. He did, remember that King Y’shua Messiah is The Word, and in the Word is the scriptures about Holy Oil. As the Word King Y’shua Messiah is everything that is in the Word of God. That is why He asks us to get to know Him because King Y’shua Messiah can be found in the Bible simply by reading it. There are no tests, no memorization, no preliminary requirements, just read the Word of God.

In the Word of God you will find instruction on the making of Holy Oil. So many people today simply ask God to bless olive oil because it is easier to do than be obedient to God. It is this lifestyle of disobedience and laziness that has brought the USA to where it is today, and that is why this ministry of Oil of the Rock is being developed to challenge that lifestyle.

Periodically, here at Cepher we post something that has been heavy on our spirit for some time with the belief that the Blessed Holy Spirit is behind us on the post. Obviously, this is going to be one such post, and the topic involves the Agape Love of God, and our ability to rest in it. There is no doubt in our minds here at Cepher, that God is not waiting on His thrown with His iron scepter in His hand hoping that His people screw up so He can whack them on their heads. The God that we believe in here at Cepher is a God of Love, and He is incapable of violence. However, He did set up a system of checks and balances that will cause pain to those who abuse it, which He takes complete responsibility for.

We used the analogy of a hot stove before to show how we believe God created this universe, so we will used it here again. It goes something like this: I will cook you a meal using the stove that can provide great benefit if used appropriately. I instruct you to not touch the stove while I am cooking your meal. You decide that since it is your meal, you should be able to touch the stove; of course, you burn your hand.

The question is: Who’s fault is it? Is it mine for turning on the stove to make your meal, or is it your fault for not listening to good advice? We here at Cepher have no doubt that the fault is all yours, and the very same principles apply to God’s Creation.

The major problem that we are facing today in the United States is our understanding of life as we know it is completely opposite of God’s lifestyle design. As you get closer to God you realize how far this world has drifted from the ways of God. Here at Cepher we believe that our Gracious Creator is gently trying to get humankind to realize the plight of over consumption. The selfishness, greed, isolation and increasing abyss between those who have and those who don’t will continue until we realize how very little it is that we humans need to truly live well.

That satisfaction that comes with complete contentment becomes so overwhelming that it soon takes over human nature’s desire to consume, and provides a realization of the spiritual dimension that controls our universe. There is only one place to find such contentment, and that of course is from God. Here at Cepher we have noticed a direct connection between the Love of God and our ability to do without, to make do with what we have and adjust to the changing circumstances. We have found that the more one understands the Agape Love of God, the more one will trust Him to supply ones’ needs.

This does not happen over night, in fact it may take decades to finally discover true contentment through complete trust in God. We are all aware of the many scriptures referring to this concept. The main scripture that comes to mind most readily is, Matthew 6:25-34. In this scripture we can see that King Y’shua Messiah is plainly telling all who will listen that His Father is not just capable of taking great care of all of us, but that it is God’s desire and design!

When things become bleak and dark here at Cepher, when we are feeling very tired, sick and confused, we simply take time in God’s Word as we allow Him to strengthen our trust in Him. Many times He will bring to our memory all that He has done for us and all that He continues to do. Also we will begin to see God’s Hand within His Creation all around us and once again a great leap in learning will have occurred in our life that we can then share with others or simply to help us in the next dark journey. Thankfully, it does seem that these dark journeys are becoming fewer and farther between.

In my desert travels I have found that it is much easier to hear the Word of God as it is to see His Glory. I almost feel a leading hand guiding my every step, as if the Lord was standing right next to me. The serenity and space of the desert definitely has something to do with this feeling of peace, but there is much more to it than just location. It is as if there is far less interference than within the city, far less congestion that usually drowns out the Voice of God in the city.

I am certainly not advocating that everyone make a solitary pilgrimage into the desert, but I am suggesting that all should try to find that place on earth that allows a closer presence with God. Far to few of us attempt to have any real one on one time with God, and it has created a void within our society. Hundreds of years ago people used to shy away from large gathering of people, yet today people seem to be afraid of being alone. We have created a society that has become greatly dependent on others and far less dependent on themselves or on God.

In the past when problems arise people would simply take them on alone at least at first, today we immediately call for help; and seldom is that call to God. This world around us today needs God more than ever before, and yet, we keep running away from Him instead of running to Him. I believe that is what King Y’shua Messiah was describing when He said that He was bring a sword and not peace–Matthew 10:34. Oswald Chambers said it this way, “You may often see Jesus Christ wreck a life before He saves it.”

I do not believe that it is Y’shua Messiah that wrecks the life , but it is done by our obstinacy as we walk off a cliff that Y’shua Messiah wanted us to avoid. Ultimately, Y’shua Messiah takes responsibility for the cliff, but it is us who walk off it. I see my Lord as The One who waits patiently with open arms for us to realize how dependent we truly are of Him.

Everything written in this blog comes from the deeply sincere beliefs of the author. Those beliefs include the workings of the Blessed Holy Spirit in everything in the life of this author. I write from over five decades of experience which includes the eventual and complete dedication of my life over to God. I am in total belief that those who will eventually read these post are directed to do so by the Blessed Holy Spirit. The same Blessed Holy Spirit that directs my thoughts and hands in writing these post.

That is why we have stated numerous times that you must incorporate the Blessed Holy Spirit into these post when you read them, and only if the post rings true in your heart is it meant generally or specifically for your life. Just because your curiosity leads you to read a post does not mean that post was meant for you, however, if it is meant for you, the Blessed Holy Spirit will make it very obvious to you by helping you understand it.

Again, we here at Cepher do not conform completely to the main stream Christian mega church ways of faith! We are followers of “The Way” (Acts 9:2), those “who were born of the will of God” (John 1:13). We believe that since the beginning of time there has always been a difference between those who believe in a god, and those who are following God.

Is one better than the other? Not in our eyes here at Cepher. The difference between the two is a matter of lifestyle. Those who follow God make God the only thing in their lives. Those who believe in God place Him in the center of their lives. This may sound like the same thing, but to a follower putting God at the top of a list is not the same as having God replace the list.

Ultimately, a follower’s entire purpose on earth is to develop the closest possible relationship to God a human being can achieve, viz., Enoch. To become one with Y’shua Messiah is a follower’s goal in life accomplished by complete dedication to the Word of God. This means to study and research the Bible while allowing the Blessed Holy Spirit to teach the nuance of the Word. We do not believe that every single word in the Bible should be followed literally. The Bible is our primary source of contact with our Creator, the starting point and the final step, without such we would be lost.